Movie Alert: Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer

By John A. Sellers
|

May 12, 2011

On June 10, Judy Moody goes from middle-grade bestseller to movie-star hopeful with the release of Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer, based on Megan McDonald’s long-running series of books about temperamental third-grader Judy and her younger brother, Stink. The film, produced by Smokewood Entertainment and distributed by Relativity Media, is an all-new adventure, in which Judy and Stink are forced to spend the summer with their Aunt Opal.

Newcomer Jordana Beatty stars as Judy, along with Parris Mosteller as Stink, Heather Graham as Aunt Opal, and Jaleel White as teacher Mr. Todd. McDonald co-wrote the screenplay with Kathy Waugh (and penned a tie-in novel out later this month from Candlewick), with John Schultz (Aliens in the Attic) directing.

The Candlewick series has 14 million books in print worldwide, including nine original Judy Moody titles, six devoted to Stink, and additional books and journals. Candlewick is publishing six new tie-in books: McDonald’s novelization, which arrives May 24 with a 250,000-copy first printing; a behind-the-scenes movie guide, Judy Moody Goes to Hollywood; a field guide, So You Want to Catch Bigfoot?; and three paperback original tie-ins.

Candlewick’s marketing efforts have targeted the trade, consumer, and school and library markets, and include a sweepstakes, promotional giveaways, social media outreach, and print, broadcast, and web advertising. Meanwhile, Relativity Media has partnered with Feeding America, a charity that works to combat hunger by providing food to low-income Americans, to encourage summer volunteerism at the organization’s food banks across the U.S. Cast members Beatty and Mosteller, as well as the author, will appear at events in Denver, Chicago, and New York City in conjunction with the campaign.

The official month-long tour—which consists of events featuring McDonald, Beatty, Mosteller—is a combination of bookstore events, mall appearances, the Feeding America events, and other stops across the country. The tour kicked off on May 7 with an event in Dallas at which McDonald and the young stars of the movie were joined by Camryn, an up-and-coming 11-year-old singer who contributes three original songs to the film. McDonald, Beatty, and Mosteller and the two young stars of the film will also appear at BEA later this month. Additionally, Judy Moody illustrator Peter H. Reynolds is hosting Judy Moody Day in Dedham, Mass., on June 4 with a screening of the film, parade, and other activities and events. As Judy would say, Rare!

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